Assam State Museum in Ambari, Guwahati
Location:It is situated in the eastern part of the Guwahati city-center.
Major Displays:
Archaeological and ethnographic displays are one of the major attractions in Assam's state museum. The Assam State Museum displays collections of archeology, sculpture, paintings, metal, ivory and woodwork, costumes and ethnology.
Tribal artifacts and some of the available Assamese tribal village materials provide insight into the everyday life of these tribal people.
Other exhibits include weaving, musical instruments, religious sculptures, WW II relics, coins, manuscripts and crafts. The Assam State Museum highlights the cultural diversity of the region.
The collection includes stone and copper plate inscriptions dating from the 5th century, a 12th century sculpture of 'Surya', terracotta pieces and costumes. The collection in the museum reminds us the multiracial population and their culture in Assam, for which the academicians termed as Anthropological Paradise. Indeed Assam has been a curious melting pot into which have gone the Aryans and non-Aryans, the tribal, the indigenous and the exotic, making for a delightful fare with a wonderful mixed flavour.
Archaeological items in the museum of the state including some prehistoric artifacts and fossils, ruined and stone, terracotta sculptures, seals and coins, old inscription and manuscripts are very distinct.
The collection in this museum has proved that arts & crafts in the north-eastern region surpasses others - be it in colour scheme, decorative design or workmanship - it is that of textiles. Also, nowhere else is weaving so replete with artistic sensibility and so intimately connected with folk life. The collection reminds us the memorable words by Mahatma Gandhi, who had immensely praised the weaving skill of the women of Assam. Assam State Museum possesses a wide range of handloom materials.
How to reach:
Being in the heart of Guwahati, it is easily connected by air, road or rail and river. It provides all the facilities of public transportation facilities and taxi services. Guwahati Lokapriya Gopinath Bodoloi International Airport is only 24 km away from here. Moreover, Guwahati main railway station is 3km away from Pan Bazar.